---Blog Emphasis is on encouraging and supporting one another on their journey of faith in Yeshua our Messiah,
Light of our world,
Redeemer and chief Rabbi.
--Providing the occasional verbal sipeyr - saphire, a priceless treasure to spur one on in their life.
-Encourage discovery that "There is no freedom without the learning of the Torah." God's instruction.
From Pirqe Avot 6:2 - Talmud.
Mellow roc welcomes you!

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Hi and shalom!Today is December 22 and nearly 32 degrees in my corner of the world.I was not intending to post until January but after receiving this week's Media Review from the Mission Organization, Caspari Center felt it necessary.Would you consider making a donation to the ministry of Caspari CenterPO Box 147Wheaton, Illinoisto honor the 2 victims of this report, one of whom formerly worked with Caspari Center apparently.I think the ministry may need to know other believers care and also words of comfort may be appreciated if so led.If you google caspari center media review, you can get the web site and contact info that way.This is lengthy and the details are not pretty.See you next year.

This week's Review includes a report on the assault on Kay Wilson - a former editor of the Media Review - and the death of her friend Kristine Luken after they were attacked by two men while hiking. (Most of the articles mistakenly spelled the name Christine Logan. The Review has preserved the spelling found in the articles.)

Kay Wilson and her friend Kristine Luken were attacked last Saturday; Kristine did not survive the assault: "A female American tourist who was feared kidnapped by Arab assailants was found dead on Sunday in a forest outside Jerusalem, with multiple stab wounds and her hands bound behind her back. Police say the attack appears to have been politically motivated, but are also looking into possible criminal connections. There was no claim of responsibility, suggesting the assailants did not act with the backing of a terrorist organization ... The tourist was identified as Christine Logan, 40. Police said she was American but that they did not know her hometown. Authorities began their hours-long search for Logan after children found a woman near Moshav Mata, southwest of Jerusalem, who had multiple stab wounds and hands tied behind her back. The woman, a friend of Logan's named Kay Susan Wilson, a 46-year-old Israeli citizen originally from Britain, told paramedics and police officers that she and Logan were assaulted by two Arab men while hiking at Khirbet Hanut, a nearby archaeological site. Gidi Bashan, a Jewish National Fund forester who questioned Wilson to pinpoint the location of the attack, said the incident was 'a tale of bravery, in which she fought for her own life and that of her friend' ... Wilson, a Messianic Jewish tour guide who lives in Givat Ze'ev, said she escaped after pretending to be dead. She was stabbed 12 times in her back and chest and is being treated at Hadassah University Hospital, Ein Karem, where doctors said she was stable and fully conscious. Wilson said on Sunday that the attack began with a request for water. 'We went off the path to go up this little hill,' she said. 'We sat down and suddenly two Arabs passed by who asked in Hebrew if I had any water. I told them "yalla, bye," they left, but I felt that something wasn't right.' She suggested to Logan that they get back on the path and saw the men had come back. One was wielding what looked 'like a bread knife with a serrated edge.' She said Logan 'became hysterical' at the sight of the knife and that she warned her in English to keep quiet, to no avail. The men began to stab them. 'It was clear that they came to kill,' she added. 'Who carries around a knife like that?' A senior police official made a similar comment, saying, 'With the victim having this many stab wounds, there's no doubt that this is attempted murder.' At one point, Wilson said one of the assailants took a Star of David chain off her neck, 'then turned me around and stabbed me in the place where the Star of David had been.' 'I played dead,' she said. 'While I was lying there I heard my friend dying. Her breath was like bubbles. I waited two minutes ... It was very hard for me to get up, but I managed to walk.' Wilson walked to a nearby parking lot and saw a car with Israeli license plates, but it didn't stop and she realized the passengers couldn't tell the condition she was in. 'I couldn't scream because of my breathing, and the car started going,' she said. 'So I had to walk another 20 meters and there were children there, and I didn't want to scare them with the blood, so I just turned around with my back to them so they could see that my hands were tied, and then they called the police'" (Haaretz, December 20).

Under the headline "'Street smarts' saved wounded victim" and the subtitle "Messianic Judaism community 'in shock'; praying for recovery of tour guide stabbed in brutal attack," the account in the Jerusalem Post (December 20) noted, "When Kay Wilson realized that the long, serrated knife hadn't reached her heart, she stayed still and pretended to be dead, waiting for the attackers to leave. But her hiking companion, American Kristine Luken, 46, who had also been horrifically stabbed, couldn't stop crying. The attackers turned back and killed her. '[Wilson] has a huge amount of street smarts, that's what saved her at the end.

Monday, December 6, 2010

Hi and shalom!Today remains chilly in my corner of the blogosphere, 25 when getting out of the sack this morning.This time of year Holiday music is played on the radio, and I often think back to attending concert performances by the DSO (Detroit Symphony Orchestra) of Handel's Messiah, in the early-mid 1970s. There were plenty of solos amid the choral pieces, and the climax always seemed to be the audience standing and singing The Hallelujah Chorus with the performing orchestra and choir. Quite moving!

Someone on a forum I participate reminded us that Yeshua HaMashiach is not only King Messiah but brother and servant Messiah to those who by faith believe in Him.Most the liturgical churches forget He is a Jewish Savior, think of Him as a baby and then a King, and are steeped in replacement theology though many of them have professed to come out of that. Perhaps like old habits, doctrine too dies hard.Where I attend the pastor neglected to mention Easter referring to a goddess with that name and only defined it as akin to the direction east. I politely reminded Him of the entire definition in a private email. I doubt he will change as he has a denomination principle to adhere too.Finally, May Yeshua be your King, confidante, and Most High in your life today and always.

Would love a holiday comment or hello from you readers, and warmly thank you for reading too.Mellow Roc

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Hi and shalom!Today is Wednesday, October 27 and my morning pattern is evolving into one where an hour is devoted to prayer and Bible study. This morning thankfully is without exception.My spouse and I together are reading the book, Eternity In Their Hearts, showing how in remote tribes, God witnesses of Himself to those He has created. It's a fascinating read!In a couple or 3 days we will again be observing the weekly Sabbath. Consider this, from Appointed Times With God as you and I head for, or find ourselves in this special Day.Would appreciate a hello from you!Our God is the Source of Light and the One who enlightens. The Light of the world, who reveals Himself in the light of His Word. Indeed, the Sabbath lights radiantly reflect the light of Yeshua, who as the Word Incarnate said: "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life". “And whoever sees me sees Him [our Father-Creator, the God of Israel] who sent me. I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in the darkness.” (John 8:12; 12:45-46)

Let us protect the beauty and holiness of the light that is given us in the Lord of the Sabbath; and may it remind you that our Father loves you so deeply that He would have created the whole world just for you!

I would add, His presence accompany us today andMay the areas of darkness for each of us become places we wish to flee, and find the Light offered by our Creator to truly be a consuming desire.

Friday, August 13, 2010

Hi and Shalom,Today is Friday August 13 but more importantly Elul 3. I resubscribed to the weekly newsletter from Beth Haderech Congreation of Toronto CA and want to share the following lengthy exercise one can do this month. Perhaps each of us are doing this to some extent or other. We belong to the Savior and have been brought with a price, let's continue to turn away from sin together..This Rosh Chodesh, New Moon, marks the start of the month of Elul. Elul 1 is 30 days from the Feast of Trumpets and 40 days before the Day of Atonement. "Elul" has been interpreted as an acronym, with its Hebrew letters "Aleph," "Lamed," "Vav," "Lamed" representing the words "Ani L’Dodi V’Dodi Li," Song of Songs 6:3. This gives us a hint of the intimacy that should be between the Almighty and His people during these days. Indeed, the next month is a special time. As we are approaching the Fall Feast Days may we cleanse our souls and prepare our hearts to receive from HaShem. One effective way to bring about purification is through a "Cheshbon HaNefesh."

When you go out to eat there is always a bill that must be paid. This itemized accounting of what you ordered and the amount owed is called a "cheshbon" in Hebrew. This phrase is important to know as it can lead the spiritual renewal of your soul. Can one Hebrew word change your life? Yes, it can IF you allow it to do so.

Most people would never leave a restaurant with a large bill due without paying, yet we go to bed each night with a bill for our souls that needs to be accounted for. The bills for our soul have been left unpaid until now. With the Fall Feast Days approaching, it is now time to take a serious inventory of our life and begin making some serious changes. Don’t wait on HaShem to change you or your spouse to finally correct all your faults. You must change you! This positive change into HaShem’s image begins with acknowledging the status of your soul and then making Biblical choices.

It is a Scriptural principle to keep an account of your wrong doings before HaShem in order not to repeat the error. This itemized inventory or accounting of your soul is called a "chesbon HaNefesh" or "the soul’s bill." The Cheshbon HaNefesh describes the debt your soul experiences and owes. It is customary to first create a large list of your past, called the "chesbon HaNefesh gadol" and then keep a nightly small list. Such is done to learn about your own defects and areas of sin.

Yacov HaZadik / James 5:16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

Bamidbar / Numbers 12:11 Please, my HaShem, do not hold against us the sin we have so foolishly committed.

Daniel 9:4I prayed to the HaShem my Elohim and confessed: "O HaShem, the great and awesome Elohim, who keeps his covenant of love with all who love him and obey his commands,

The story is told of Chaim of Zanz who at 20 want to reform his entire country morally. When he reached 30, he did not succeed at all. So at 30, he decided to reform his province and by 40, he realized that program was a failure as well. So at 40, he decided to morally reform his own town and at 50 he saw that morally his town was the same. So at 50, he finally realized that he had to first spend the time repairing his own soul.

Your Cheshbon HaNefesh Gadol can begin by taking a piece of paper with 4 columns. In the first column list all of the fears in your life that have held you back. List the fears that have stopped you from enjoying life or stepping out into the world. Fear is a common human emotion that stops people from being successful, loved, and accepted. Write down any fears that you have EVER faced in your life. Now review your list. Are these fears rational? Do you really have control over these areas? Most fears will only lead to sin and waywardness from HaShem. The by-products of fear can paralyze your life from being all that HaShem has planned for you. Be honest as you account for your life.

In the next column right down the reason for this fear. Think about where this came from. Did someone teach this to you or is it the result of a traumatic experience? In the third column list the behaviors that these fears cause. For example, if you are afraid of dying in a car accident you may choose not to drive places. Finally, for each of your fears ask yourself, "If I trusted in, had faith in, and believed in HaShem, could I let go of these fears and the behaviors stemming from them?" In the fourth column simply write the word "yes" or "no." The first step of your Cheshbon HaNefesh is completed.

Now comes the time to reason with HaShem about other people.

Vayikra / Leviticus 19:18, "’Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the HaShem."

If this verse has meaning for you then this exercise will have additional meaning as well.

On a sheet of paper make four columns. In the first column list EVERYONE against whom you have EVER held a grudge, felt anger towards, or resented. Start with the present and work backwards to your childhood years. Be honest and include friends, family, enemies, school friends, bosses, cops, etc. Also list institutions that have wronged or upset you like the insurance company, government, or doctor’s office. In the next column write down what caused the anger to occur. Don’t ignore any past problem or pain. The third list will give you an opportunity to list how such actions affected you. Were you emotionally or physically abused or abandoned? Was your spiritual growth stunted because of the actions of others? What really happened that has caused you to be wronged?

An honest list will include some horrible problems and some pretty petty pain. Consider the power that you have allowed these people to possess over you. Holding a grudge is a sin, so its time to let go of the anger and stop allowing people to hold you captive. Now it is time to rid yourself of these resentments. Do not wait to be asked for forgiveness. You must choose to forgive others. Pray and ask HaShem for how to let go of these pain. Pray for these people daily. In the fourth column, list what you have done to hurt these people. How have you been rude, selfish or uncaring? Be honest and admit your dishonesty!

Your Cheshbon HaNefesh Gadol is almost complete. On a last sheet of paper begin listing all of your personal defects, sins, and selfish behaviors. Be honest with yourself. Include lies, evil speech, gossip, slander, controlling behaviors, rudeness, and stinginess. List how you have taken advantage of people and robbed yourself of life by not caring for your body. Take this list and begin to confess before HaShem. Your Cheshbon HaNefesh Gadol is complete once you have honestly paid the bill of your soul through confession and asking for forgiveness.

Beginning tonight, you should create a "Cheshbon HaNefesh Katon" every evening. As you do these each night you will never need to create a large Cheshbon again! This is a daily keeping of your faults, pain, and resentment. The Besorah Tova HaGeula says: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." Before going to bed, simply ask yourself if you owe anyone amends as a result of your actions. Did you properly represent HaShem to each person you came in contact with today? Who can you contact to make amends before you go to sleep?

Kohelet / Proverbs 28:13He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

When we complete our accounting of sins, our souls are released from pain and resentment. Our spirit can be renewed and we can hear clearly from HaShem.

Friday, July 30, 2010

Hi and shalom!The concept of "remember" in Scripture refers to more than just not forgetting someone or something, but is an action word, a decided choice to love the LORD your GOD with all your heart, soul, mind, strength, and neighbor as yourself. When we collectively don't spend time, i.e. remember God, it gives rise to the following as posted in The Week online edition.My comment before, during and after is start making Shabbat a consistent rhythm in your life.Increasingly, technology not only lets us control our lives in innovative ways, but offers to do so on our behalf. The number of products, applications, and gadgets designed to combat our baser instincts — forcing us to eat less, behave better, and otherwise live cleaner, more respectable lives — is on the rise. This week, for example, saw the release of an application that warns you if your e-mail text could be interpreted as rude (see below). Here's a list of 6 vices, and the technological gadgets that can help cure — or at least mitigate — them:

1. Your e-mail is too aggressiveToneCheck is a new no-cost plug-in that "reads" your e-mail drafts and warns you if they could be construed as impolite. It's essentially a spellcheck-like function for an aggressive or insulting tone. "Text communication is rife with misunderstandings," says Adam Pash at LifeHacker, "and often an e-mail with perfectly pleasant intentions can lead to a lot of upset co-workers." That said, the idea that the complex emotional register of human beings can be anticipated by a machine is "downright terrifying."

2. You swear too muchThose who want to clean up their language might want to plug Pepper Mouth — a vigilant, if bratty, device — into their computers' USB ports. As soon as you've input a curse word, Pepper Mouth emits a foul-smelling odor. Your e-mails will be G-rated before you know it, says Conner Flynn at Slippery Brick, thanks to this "politically correct skunk." (No release date or price information available yet)

3. You eat too muchEntrepreneurs have long exploited Americans susceptibility to weight-loss gimmicks — with inventions ranging from a Hannibal Lecter-like face mask to a doll that shames you into sticking to a diet. Now there's a digital variation: A 99-cent iPhone photo app called FatBooth offers users a threatening preview of what they'd look like 100 pounds heavier. Seeing yourself with flabby double (or triple) chins "may be the incentive you need" to squelch those 1 a.m. cupcake urges, says Chris Pirillo at his blog.

4. You have a tendency to drunk-dialThe urge to call your boss, your spouse, your ex, or your psychic can be dangerously powerful when you're under the influence of alcohol. Hence, a 99-cent iPhone app called the Bad Decision Blocker, which allows you to delete certain numbers from your phone for 12 hours. "It's essentially a digital babysitter," says creator John Genest.

5. You have a tendency to mail the wrong people when drunkNeither ToneCheck nor the Bad Decision Blocker will prevent you from rapping out ill-advised e-mails when you're three sheets to the wind (a weakness that Jacqui Cheng at Ars Technica calls the "technological evolution of the drunk dial"). That's why Google developed "Mail Goggles," a free program that forces you to answer a series of math questions in under 60 seconds before it will let you press "send." Math whizzes given to excessive tippling can even increase the degree of difficulty.

6. You can't stop surfing the InternetWe've all had moments when a pressing work document needs our attention, but we can't stop checking sports-stats websites. The solution: "Distraction software." One $10 version, Freedom, the "virtual equivalent of retiring to a remote getaway," allows you to disable Internet access for between one minute and eight hours. Once you find the willpower to use it, you can only get back online by rebooting your computer. It's the "ultimate tool to ward off distractions," says The Economist, a bit optimistically.His presence aid us through our "baser instincts."Mellow Roc

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Hi and shalom!Have you ever had prayers answered seemingly in quick fashion, like the turn-around time expected on a given project that you are responsible for ensuring happens?That happened for me this week to where I could observe it, God has great turn-around time on our petitions.I have been working on a novella that will take longer to get out there then I dreamed. Also the method it will get out there and form are probably being worked out as I write this.Someone shared, ultimately we want to do God's will not our own, I say oops.Still feel the frustration though that was stated by a flustered mom in that 60s headache commercial, I would rather do it myself!The other was from another friend who shared with me on living and working with other believers even though my perspective is a minority one. Read this:Find the most open-minded and thoughtful Christian community you can. Study on your own.Truly be in community.Here's the toughy, resist the urge to see other Christians in your church as inferior or "your students" as it were.Speak out humbly and strategically, and only occasionally, in favor of non-supersessionistic ways of expressing God's plan.

That means worship where you have been, look for a on line or phone conference call situation where others discuss the torah, and keep on placing your will and life in the care of Adnonai.It may save on Excedrin, Tylenol and perhaps more frustration than is needed..Mellow Rock

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Hi and Shalom!Today I want to share with you an excerpt from the weekly Torah Commentary called the UONYC Teaching Letter from the Union of Ysraelite Nazarene Congregations, a group within the Messianic faith.There is some timeless wisdom here as it relates to the last book of the Torah, Deuteronomy.May we all be encouraged, and His presence be with us today!Shabbat Shalom Kol Yisrael. It is our great pleasure to present this week's Torah Parsha commentary by Nazarene Yisraelite Rabbi T. (Mordecai) Mitchell, Rabbi and Rosh Zaken of B'nai Yeshurun Nazarene Yisraelite Synagogue, Kittanning, Pa., board member of the Union of Nazarene Yisraelite Congregations. Our Parsha this week is D'varim (Words) Debarim (Deuteronomy 1:1  3:22. Our Haftarah is YeshaYahu (Isaiah) 1:1  27. Our suggested Brit Chadasha readings are: Yochanan (John) 15:1  17 and Ibrim (Hebrews) 3:7  4:11. Also please read Tehillim (Psalms) 106 and 124.

Please note that this Parsha is read annually on the Shabbat preceding the 9th of Av. We encourage everyone to please research the dreadful and awesome history of 9th of Av, which falls this year on Tuesday, July 20 (the day begins at sundown, Monday, July 19) One thing we must keep in mind is that history does repeat itself. We must also remember that none of us can stand except for the divine and supernatural protection of Almighty Yahweh.

As a prelude to the commentary it is important to understand a bit about this last book of the Torah as we begin the book. D'varim means Words. In most Bible translations the book is called Deuteronomy. This word is taken from the Greek word Deuteronomos, which means Second Law. This Greek meaning can be a bit misleading. There is no Second Law. A more accurate meaning may be conveyed from the word repetition. D'Varim reiterates much of the Torah that had been given to Israel and introduces some relatively new instructions.

As we begin this new book, let us keep in mind that we are less than eight weeks away from the fall High Days. Let us begin to prepare to meet Almighty Yahweh at His commanded Moedim.

Debarim 1:1 These are the words which Moshe spoke to all Yisrael beyond the Yarden in the wilderness, in the desert plain opposite Suph, between Paran and Tophel, and Laban and Hatseroth, and Di Zahab.

After a brief account of Israel's physical location and journeys, Moshe finally addresses his people from the very depths of his heart. It is obvious that he is, some what reservedly, unleashing years of pent up frustration with the inconsistent and often lackadaisical behavior of the people. In verse 12, just before giving them sound direction regarding what they need to do to correct themselves and keep themselves in check, he vents his justifiable frustration by saying: 12. How do I bear your pressure and your burden and your strife, by myself?

After four decades of leading the people out of Egypt and through the wilderness, Mosheh addresses his true feelings. He tells the people exactly what is on his mind. Admittedly, 40 years is a long time to wait  to allow frustrations to build up, hoping they will just somehow disappear. There is of course a lesson here for us. There are times we must learn to just unleash, to really give people a piece of our minds  to tell them just what it is about them or their behavior that bugs us. However, the real lesson here is the Mosheh held himself in check for a long time. Some people then to shoot from the hip, just letting go the instant someone seems to cross them.

On the other hand we must use caution. Such behavior can be reactive. By waiting a while and giving some the benefit of the doubt, or by temporarily overlooking minor offenses or potential conflicts, we can avoid reactive, often hurtful emotional railings. We have all been guilty of sometimes lashing out. After all, we are only human and none of us can measure up to the stature of Moshe. However, in all fairness, Mosheh is being proactive, not reactive. While it is almost always best, if possible, to hold off speaking until our speaking can be more or less objective and free of emotion, especially blind anger, there are times when we must just let go and speak our minds.

In verse 13 and 15, Mosheh, knowing that his time of leadership is fast coming to an end, institutes a system of judges to lead and rule Yisrael.

Choose men, wise and understanding, and known to your tribes, and let me appoint them as your heads.

We may note that although these leaders were initially chosen by the people, final approval was given by Mosheh himself. The leaders were appointed, not elected. They were chosen for their wisdom and understanding. These positive character traits were recognized by the people, and by Mosheh himself, because the men chosen were trusted and respected by all.

Despite their impeccable character, the chosen judges are reminded to judge fairly and objectively, never with a personal agenda.

Note from mellow roc, may we be like the judges in our dealings with others in our lives.David

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Hi and shalom!We haven't spent much time the past few posts in the book title, Bound for Freedom by Goran Larsson, and thought it was good time to return to this.The annual Torah reading cycle begins Deuteronomy this week, the first 3 chapters.Deuteronomy is thought to be Moses' synopsis of the wilderness years and by God's direction, encourages Joshua and the sojourners to continue walking with our LORD.With Mr. Larsson, we last visited his title as he was discussing the feast of Pentecost. I pick up there."Pentecost is no less a part of God's miracle of liberation than is Passover. Therefore it is crucial that every generation places itself at Mt. Sinai, listens to the same heavenly voice, and utters the same confession as their forefathers.The words of Torah should be new to you as though they were given this very day. It is well-known that the liberation from Egypt is celebrated year after year at Passover. We also know fairly well how this feast has been celebrated throughout the ages. How Pentecost has been celebrated is less known.While the two other pilgrimage feasts, Passover and Tabernacles (Spring and Fall respectively) are assigned a detailed tractate in the Mishnah, there is only sparse information in the Rabbinic literature about Pentecost--Shavuot.Note: This next paragraph fits well with Deuteronomy.-The desert period is approaching its end. The Sinai experience is now in the past. Moses therefore emphasizes the Lord our god made a covenant with us at Horeb. Not with our ancestors did the Lord make this covenant, but with us who all of us here alive today! See Deuteronomy 5:2.Further, in Moses' speech addressing the "renewed covenant" to be made before entering the promised land, he includes even future generations in the covenant, (see Deuteronomy 29:10-15). The covenant involves being established as His people that He may be their God as He promised you and swore to your ancestors. Obedience and Legalism. "All that you have spoken, we will do." (Exodus 24:7)."Do and hear." Exodus chapters 19 through 24 are fused into a unity expressing the conditions, content, and mutuality of the covenant. "Do and hear" concretely introduces what faithfulness the covenantal relationship implies.It is how all the commandments and ordinances given in the tablets of the covenant and the book of the covenant are to be received and realized in daily life..

His presence accompany us today as we hear and do His word and will in our lives. Be strong in the LORD!Comments and hello are always welcomed!Mellow roc

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Hi and shalom!It is the first of July here as I write, mostly sunny and in the low 70s. Not bad for summer.I have been pondering the phrase, at God's urging, today.A friend sent me a personal e-mail telling me she did not feel fit for the task she felt God our Father was asking her to do but would proceed. I said in response, May he give you ideas to express yourself in artistry that is intended for others to see.I have been working on a novel and feel much like my friend having never done this previously. At God's urging applies to a thought or idea or sentence that may come along and make for good content to the novel. May it be so for all of us as we set out to do our special services, at God's urging.I plan to have a reasonably relaxing weekend, and thank God for our independence and interdependence as citizens of His Kingdom and residents here on earth.See you next post, comment whenever you desire as I enjoy reading them!Mellow Roc

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Hi and shalom,For the past several months, I have been participating in many of the on line Life Of Yeshua Bible studies offered free of charge fromwww.hebrewroots.coma UK Messianic web site. This is chronologically going through the birth and life of our Savior, Yeshua the Messiah. Here is a sample from week 17.WEEK 17 : The Childhood of Yeshua

1. SCRIPTURE

Luke 2:40 And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

Lk. 2:40Luke 2:40 (NKJV) Other versions ...

2. COMMENTARY

With this one statement the development of Yeshua from the age of four until the age of twelve is summarized by stating that physically He waxed strong; mentally He was filled with wisdom; and spiritually the grace of God was upon Him. The question is: what kind of an upbringing did Yeshua have? Although the Bible does not give that much information concerning Yeshua’s early years, the Mishnah gives the breaking down of the ages of development of a Jewish child. “At five years of age, aw child is put to the text of the Scripture; at age ten, to the Mishnah or traditions; at age thirteen, to the commandments (Bar Mitzvah); at age fifteen, for the study of Talmud; at age eighteen, for marriage; at age twenty, for pursuing a vocation; at the age of thirty, for entering into one’s full vigor, at the age of forty for understanding, at the age of fifty for counsel, at the age of sixty one attains old age, at the age of seventy for the hoary head, at the age of eighty for special strength, at the age of ninety for bending beneath the weight of old age, at the age of one hundred is though he was already dead and had passed away and ceased from the world” Pirke Avoth 5:21). Here we have in a nutshell the early life of any Jewish boy growing to manhood, including Yeshua.

Monday, June 7, 2010

Hi and shalom,This article, lengthy excerpt here, may cause many Sacramentalists to ponder and I don't mean those residing in California but those who believe Holy Communion is a God-given sacrament. See below from author Bruce Chilton in the BAR resource, 24 hours that changed the world, an Easter discussion.What Jesus was doing at the Last Supper has not been understood for the better part of 2,000 years. The reason for the misunderstanding is that Jesus, a Jewish teacher who was concerned with the sacrificial worship of Israel, has been treated as if he were the deity in a Hellenistic cult.A generation after Jesus’ death, when the Gospels were written, the Romans had destroyed the Jerusalem Temple (in 70 C.E.); the most influential centers of Christianity were cities of the Mediterranean world such as Alexandria, Antioch, Corinth, Damascus, Ephesus and Rome. Although large numbers of Jews were also followers of Jesus, non-Jews came to predominate in the early Church. They controlled how the Gospels were written after 70 C.E. and how the texts were interpreted.Within the Greco-Roman world, Jesus was readily appreciated as a divine figure, after the manner of one of the gods come to visit earth. Hellenistic religion of the first and second centuries was deeply influenced by cults called Mysteries, in which a worshiper would be joined to the death and restoration of a god by means of ritual. Jesus’ Last Supper was naturally compared to initiation into such a Mystery. He was a new kind of Dionysus, historical rather than mythical, who gave himself, flesh and blood, in the meals held in his name. After all, he had said, “This is my body” and “This is my blood” (Matthew 26:26–28//Mark 14:22–24//Luke 22:19–20). For many Hellenistic Christians, that could only mean that Jesus referred to himself: Bread and wine were tokens of Jesus that became his body and blood when believers consumed them!

Learn more about the origins of the Eucharist in the BAS Library.

The only serious question for Christian orthodoxy was how the transformation took place. Churches have gone to war (literally and figuratively) over that issue, but they have agreed that the meaning of body and blood is self-referential, or autobiographical—that Jesus was talking about himself, about his own flesh and his own blood.That traditional understanding has gone virtually unchallenged, both in theological and in historical discussion. Churches have accepted the idea that the Last Supper initiated a Mystery religion in which their God gave himself to be eaten. Historians have told us that Jesus started a new sect of Judaism by telling his followers to eat bread and drink wine as if they were his own flesh and blood.But is that plausible as history? What Jew would tell another to drink blood, even symbolic blood? The Mishnah,a to present an example of a heinous defect on the part of a priest involved in slaughtering the red heifer, pictures the priest as intending to eat the flesh or drink the blood (Parah 4:3). In fact, in Jewish tradition, people had no share of blood; that belonged only to God. The thought of drinking blood, even animal blood, was blasphemous. To imagine drinking human blood and consuming it with human flesh could only make the blasphemy worse.So if Jesus’ words are taken with their traditional, autobiographical meaning, his Last Supper can only be understood as a deliberate break from Judaism. Either Jesus himself declared a new religion, or his followers did so in his name and invented the Last Supper themselves. Both those alternatives find scholarly adherents, and the debate between those who see the Gospels as literally true reports and those who see them as literary fictions shows little sign of abating.There is, however, a more historical way of understanding how the eucharist emerged in early Christianity, an approach that takes account of cultural changes in the development of the movement.Research in the social world of early Judaism indicates how Christianity emerged as a social movement within Judaism and then became distinct from it. We are no longer faced with the old alternatives—either the conservative position that the Gospels are literal reports, or the liberal position that they are literary fictions. Critical study has suggested a new possibility: that the Gospels are composite products of various social groups that belonged to the Jesus movement from its days within Judaism to the emergence of Christianity as a distinct religion. By understanding eucharistic practice within the social groups that made the Gospels into the texts we read today, we can begin to appreciate the meaning Jesus gave the Last Supper, and how his original meaning was later transformed.The Synopticb Gospels (Mark, Matthew and Luke) were composed by successive groups of teachers after Jesus’ death in about 30 C.E. The Gospel of Mark was the first written around 71 C.E. in the environs of Rome, according to most scholars. Matthew was next in about 80 C.E., perhaps in Damascus (or elsewhere in Syria). Luke came later, say in 90 C.E., perhaps in Antioch.Some of the teachers who shaped the Gospels shared Jesus’ cultural milieu, but others never set eyes on him; they lived far from Judea at a later period and were not practicing Jews. The growth of Christianity involved a rapid transition from culture to culture and, within each culture, from sub-culture to sub-culture. A basic prerequisite for understanding any text of the Gospels, therefore, is to define the cultural context of a given statement. That is just what the usual reading of the Last Supper fails to do.The Last Supper was not the only supper Jesus shared with his disciples—just the last one. Indeed, Jesus had a well-established custom of eating with people socially. There was nothing unusual about a rabbi making social eating an instrument of his instruction, and so it was part of Jesus’ method from the first days of his movement in Galilee.Meals within Judaism were regular expressions of social solidarity, and of common identity as the people of God. Many sorts of meals are mentioned in the literature of early Judaism. From the Dead Sea Scrolls, we learn of banquets at which the community convened in order of hierarchy. Among the Pharisees, collegial meals were shared within fellowships (havuroth) at which like-minded fellows (haverim) shared food and company they considered pure. Ordinary households might welcome the coming of the Sabbath with a prayer of sanctification (kiddush) over a cup of wine, or open a family occasion with blessing (berakhot) over bread and wine.Jesus’ meals were in some ways similar but in other ways distinctive. He had a special understanding of what the meal meant and of who should participate. For him, eating socially with that in the kingdom to come. A key feature of the fervent expectations of Judaism during the first century was that in the kingdom to come God would offer festivity for all the people on his holy mountain (see, for example, Isaiah 25:6–8). Jesus shared that hope, as can be seen in the following:“Many shall come from east and west, and feast with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of God.”

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Hi and shalom,Today is the last day of March and Passover was on Monday evening to Tuesday evening, a Jewish day typically starts at sunset til the next sunset, and now in a 7-week period of counting the days to Shavuot/Pentecost which celebrates God communicating with us in giving the Torah and giving His Spirit, respectively at 2 separate occasions in history.I wanted to share the daily Omer count email which I receive from UMJC, Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations.To think of our journey as a process to be mobilized is refreshing. Each week the emphasis will be on a different aspect of the mobilization. Here is today's sample, day 2.As we continue 49 days of spiritual mobilization in prayer, we can pray to become mobilized ourselves. When you count the Omer tonight, ask, "Am I working on my character? Are those around me affected positively by my example of Messiah Yeshua?" Counting the Omer is a time for personal spiritual renewal, as well as for our shared emphasis on praying for the global Messianic Jewish community.

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Hi and shalom,After the morning rush here at home, listening to Morning Edition on NPR, felt it was time to say a few words about the world in which we live. I am thankful for the new person following as well as the rest of you, and hope you will frequent often and comment whenever moved to do so! Gotta deal?OK. Hearing about the relief effort in Haiti, establishment of short-term care being provided by hospitals across the country to victims of the earthquake in Haiti, the doings with Toyota, and preparations for the pending snowfall in and around the Washington, D.C. area this weekend, are quite a platter full to consider. There is more to life than my little world, raising 2 teens with my wife, promoting a small group study of the Jewish roots of Christianity, etc etc. However, what goes on in our respective worlds, influences the world at large probably indirectly most times but on occasion directly too.Here's to the mechanics replacing parts on the recalled Toyota vehicles, the medical teams providing care for Hatian earthquake victims and the rest of us with major or minor maladies, the teams and venues involved in professional sports that entertain us, the lady named Denise living in metro Detroit whose tap dance club is the first of its kind in the area and performing occasionally on the east coast, to you and whatever your pursuits are relative to helping make the world a fixed place!This past Thursday evening, my wife and I attended the cinecast of A Prairie Home Companion, and enjoyed the evening out and that 2-hour commedic form of entertainment. Elvis Costello, one of the performers is quite versatile in his talents as a singer, lyricist and actor. I did not follow him much in the 70s.I enjoy the weekly news from Lake Wobegone and the skits, but in the cinecast, found the music to be to my liking though a bit somber overall.Well, it's time for another coffee, and to get on with the day and weekend stuff. Thanks again, let's talk soon.David

About Me

Compassionate, caring, gregarious, married white male, stroke survivor, aging somewhat gracefully, visually impaired from infancy; other pursuits: blogger/short story writer, musician (piano), play weekly brunch near hometown, belong to two online writing groups and enjoy studying Scripture from a Jewish understanding. Faith is a part of my writing and life expression! Also enjoy swimming, walks, playing cards, female acoustic singers, chamber music and classical music! I reside in the USA, state of Michigan.